Moving from Fayetteville, NC to Savannah, GA
Relocating between Fayetteville, NC and Savannah, GA is a 273 mi drive — 5h 8m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
273 mi · 5h 8m by car · NC → SC → GA
Distance & route
| Route through | NC → SC → GA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95 BUSINESS, US 301, US 17 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fayetteville | Savannah | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.978 | 95.206 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.779 | 88.603 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 96.269 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.081 | 86.012 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 91.978 vs 95.206 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 3.5% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $225,534 to $326,509 moving to Savannah.
YoY change: Fayetteville +0.3%, Savannah -3.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fayetteville | Savannah |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 68°F |
| January avg low | 32°F | 40°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.2" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 47.9" | 48.1" |
Expect 5.6°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Savannah gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FAYETTEVILLE (PWC), NC US, SAVANNAH INTL AP, GA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fayetteville | Savannah |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 147,546 |
| Median household income | $56,395 | $56,782 |
| Median age | 30.7 | 33.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.6% | 20.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.57 | 2.52 |
Median household incomes in Fayetteville ($56,395) and Savannah ($56,782) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Savannah MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 24,950 | $41,600 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 21,870 | $37,820 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 21,400 | $28,500 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 18,460 | $31,030 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 12,220 | $76,810 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between North Carolina and Georgia
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Georgia's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- I-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Savannah average 92°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Tropical storms are possible August through October on the Atlantic coast.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Georgia after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Fayetteville to Savannah?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 273 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Savannah more expensive than Fayetteville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Savannah is 3.5% higher than Fayetteville (95.206 vs 91.978, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Savannah compare to Fayetteville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,490 in the Savannah MSA vs $41,480 in the Fayetteville MSA, on total employment of 188,970 and 130,480 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Savannah, GA from Fayetteville, NC?
The driving distance is 273 mi and the route typically takes 5h 8m via I 95 BUSINESS and US 301. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Fayetteville vs Savannah?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $56,782 in Savannah vs $56,395 in Fayetteville — a 0.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Fayetteville and Savannah?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 67.5°F in Savannah vs 61.9°F in Fayetteville (5.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 1.2 in. Annual precipitation: 48.1 in vs 47.9 in.
How much do homes cost in Savannah compared to Fayetteville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $326,509 in Savannah vs $225,534 in Fayetteville — a 44.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fayetteville.
City profiles: Fayetteville, NC · Savannah, GA.